When it comes to the health of your mouth, it is not all about how bright your smile is or how straight your teeth are. Your gums are of great importance as well. Even if you are free of cavities and have the whitest teeth, that does not give you immunity against gum disease. Usually, the disease is painless and most of the time, you will not know that something is wrong with your gums. Gum disease begins when plaque accumulates along or under the gum line. Fortunately, gum disease is preventable and here are some tips on how you can keep your gums healthy.

Floss

Floss regularly
Flossing is something you must do if you want to maintain healthy gums. It helps get rid of food particles and plaque that is beyond the reach of your toothbrush. It does not matter what time of the day you do the flossing just as long as you do it.
Go for professional dental cleaning
Your dentist is the only person who will be able to diagnose gum disease in its early stages. However, they will not be able to do this if you do not visit them on a regular basis. Go for dental cleaning periodically so that your dentist can remove tartar and unreachable plaque. If you have gingivitis, your dentist will be able to treat it before it gets worse.
Use fluoride toothpaste
When it comes to toothpaste, stores stock numerous brands that claim to whiten teeth, freshen breath and even reduce gingivitis. So, how do you know which one is best for you? Ensure that you get toothpaste that contains fluoride. Mouthwashes can also help reduce gingivitis and plaque as well as slow down the development of tartar. Moreover, a rinse will help remove debris and food particles from your mouth. It is important to keep in mind however, that a mouthwash is not a substitute for brushing or flossing. Regardless of whether you rinse, floss or brush first, just ensure that you use the correct products and do a good job.
Avoid smoking
This is one of the greatest reasons why you should quit smoking if you do. This is because smoking plays a huge role to the commencement of gum disease. When you smoke, you weaken your immune system and it becomes harder to fight off any gum infections. Additionally, smoking makes it a lot harder for your gums to heal once they get an infection.
Brush at least twice daily
Most dentists recommend that you brush your teeth after every meal. However, if for some reason it is not possible to do that, ensure that you brush at least twice a day. This will help eliminate the plaque and food trapped between your gums and teeth. While you are at it, scrub your tongue as well because it can also harbor bacteria. Your toothbrush should fit comfortably in your mouth and have soft bristles. Consider getting an electric toothbrush because it can help reduce gingivitis more than manual brushing. Change your toothbrush every three to four months.